A beginner’s guide to irons

There’s nothing like a crisp, neatly pressed shirt or dress to really sell the idea that you’re prepared thoroughly and properly for some sort of event or occasion. Clothes, especially fabrics like cotton, look much better when they’re ironed. Unless you’re going for a scruffy look, it’s nice to be properly dressed for the occasion at hand.

To that end, what sort of iron would be best? There are many varieties to choose from. And so it helps to understand the different types there are, how they work, and what their purposes are. Read on, as we help you do just that. 

1. A basic iron

At its core, an iron is essentially a hot, weighted metal plate with a handle. Earlier, that heat would have been provided by burning coal, today, it’s provided by electricity. Basic irons are a little more advanced now and generally include temperature control as well as some kind of LED indicator to let you know when it’s heating.

These irons are cheap, and sufficient for getting the job done. However, some fabrics require precise temperature control, and others require steam or water of some kind. In those cases, a basic iron can fall short.

2. A steam iron

A steam iron is one step up from a basic iron in that you can load it up with water and, with the press of a button, eject steam from the base while ironing to get a crisp and smooth finish on your fabrics. If you’re in the market for a new iron, get a steam iron. Steam irons are not that much more expensive than a basic iron and most certainly worth the slight premium. More expensive variants are usually built of better materials and have precise temperature and steaming controls.

ALSO READ: What different modes on your iron mean

However, do bear in mind that steam irons don’t work well with hard water. As hard water evaporates, it leaves behind a salty residue that can corrode the inside of the iron and clog the pores from which steam escapes. If you’re getting a steam iron, be wary of the type of water you’re using and you’ll be fine.

3. Cordless irons

These can be basic irons or steam irons, with the only difference being that they don’t need AC power to run. One simply charges the units and uses them without the hassle of a power cord. Some come in smaller, more portable form factors for ease of transport.

4. Travel iron

A travel iron can have any of the above features, but primarily, its design is smaller and more portable and it may or may not run off battery power. Many travel irons are, in fact, foldable so they’re even easier to carry. Do note that smaller travel irons don’t get very hot, making them more suited for emergency ironing and not for heavy duty work.

5. Base plates

Irons usually have a steel base plate that is heated. This is the most common type of base plate, but do note that some high-end irons come with ceramic and even titanium base plates. The higher quality materials tend to be more expensive but are preferred in high-end irons for their ability to heat up faster and more evenly distribute heat.

6. Garment steamer

This isn’t an iron in the traditional sense, but it is a tool that is often used in clothing stores for removing wrinkles from a larger volume of clothes. Garment steamers simply generate steam at a higher temperature than from a traditional steam iron and blow that steam on fabrics that are suspended. The weight of the fabric coupled with the relaxing properties of hot steam – with respect to fabrics – helps the fabric straighten out under its own weight.

Garment steamers are more readily available to the average consumer these days, which is why it made it to this list.

ALSO READ: Top 5 garment steamers in India in 2024

Irons today are cheap and plentiful, and also quite capable. A basic steam iron should be enough for anyone, with the more premium options primarily offering a more premium hand-feel and ironing experience thanks to features like rapidly heating bases and finer temperature control.